Reconciliation

PUBLIC THEOLOGY AND RECONCILIATION

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Introduction

Socially developed and just societies have been founded upon theological intervention. The political actions and Christian involvement in the reconciliation process have been embraced in the contemporary Australian politics. The differences between the indigenous and non-indigenous Australians have been influenced by the absence of knowledge, respect, and understanding. According to the analysis of the theological principles involved in reconciliation, forgiveness and truth are the most paramount virtues of the Christian ways. The aim of the Christian involvement in the public reconciliation domain is to develop a truthful public relationship. Public theology helps in explaining the responsiveness of the indigenous perspectives concerning diversified policy matters. This paper aims at discussing some of the theological principles applicable in the indigenous reconciliation in Australia as well as the lessons that Christians derive from participating in public reconciliation debates.

Reconciliation in Indigenous Australia

The theological principle of forgiveness has been embraced in the political platforms as a way of ensuring reconciliation. The catholic and the Methodist churches have proposed forgiveness as a way of achieving a conflict free society among the indigenous people. The churches mentioned have also accommodated a large number of people with whom they have connected the secular politics. Forgiveness and truth values have been essential in increasing such reconciliation attempts in Australia. The theological principles have helped in reconciliation since they teach the virtues of forgiveness and truthfulness at individual levels. These values help in shaping individual behaviours towards conflict resolution (Catsam 2009; 12). Such attempts by the Christians have increased the ease of conflict resolution among the indigenous Australians. The two churches have...